BAGHDAD, 31 May 2008 — Sunni Arabs expressed outrage yesterday after a US Marine reportedly handed out coins promoting Christianity to Muslims in the former insurgent stronghold of Fallujah, one of the flashpoint cities of the war.
The US military responded quickly, removing a Marine from duty and saying it appeared to be an “isolated incident” amid concerns it could alienate Sunni allies in the fight against Al-Qaeda in Iraq.
Distribution of the coins in Fallujah was particularly sensitive because the city, 65 kilometers west of Baghdad, is known for its large number of mosques. It was the center of the Sunni-led insurgency before a massive US offensive in November 2004.
Photos of the coins, which were inscribed with phrases in Arabic, were widely distributed via cell phones in Fallujah and were seen by an Associated Press employee.
One side asked: “Where will you spend eternity?” The other contained a verse from the New Testament: “For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16.”
Sheikh Abdul-Rahman Al-Zubaie, an influential tribal leader in the city, spoke of his outrage over perceived proselytizing by American forces and warned patience was running thin. “This event did not happen by chance, but it was planned and done intentionally,” Al-Zubaie said. “The Sunni population cannot accept and endure such a thing. I might not be able to control people’s reactions if such incidents keep happening.” Sunni officials and residents said a Marine distributed about 10 coins at a checkpoint controlling access to the city, scene of one of the fiercest battles of the war.
Al-Zubaie said a man brought one of the coins to a mosque on Wednesday to show it to him and other Sunni leaders.
He accused the Marines of trying to do missionary work in Fallujah and said Sunni leaders had met with US military officials and demanded “the harshest punishment” for those responsible to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
The US military — still smarting from the Holy Qur’an shooting — said a Marine was removed from duty yesterday. A statement said the reports about the coin’s distribution were being investigated and promised “appropriate action” if the allegations are confirmed.
Lt. Col. Chris Hughes, a spokesman for US forces in western Iraq, said it didn’t appear to be a widespread problem, stressing that the military forbids “proselytizing any religion, faith or practices.” “Indications are this was an isolated incident — an individual Marine acting on his own accord passing out coins,” Hughes said in an e-mailed statement.
Al-Zubaie said US military officials met with tribal leaders on Thursday and expressed “astonishment about the behavior of this Marine, saying that they have already settled the matter of the violation of the Qur’an and suddenly a new problem has emerged. “As Muslims, we cannot accept this,” Dr. Muhsin Al-Jumaili, a professor of law and religious studies in Fallujah, told The Associated Press. “The Americans should concentrate on maintaining security and not doing missionary work.”
“Such deeds will not make Muslims trust American troops any more and might create a feeling of hatred among Muslims and Christians” at a time when they’re finally living in peace, he added.
The revelation that an American sniper had used a Qur’an for target practice earlier this month prompted similar outrage and drew apologies from US President George W. Bush and senior US commanders. The soldier who was responsible was removed from Iraq.
Sadrists Protest Security Agreement
Tens of thousands of Shiites, meanwhile, took to the streets in Baghdad and other cities to protest plans for a long-term security agreement with the United States.
Anti-US cleric Moqtada Sadr issued a call on Tuesday for weekly protests against the deal, which could lead to a long-term American troop presence.
The outcry could sharply heighten tensions over the proposed pact, which is supposed to be finished by July to replace the current UN mandate overseeing US-led troops in Iraq.
Demonstrators in Baghdad’s Sadr City district chanted: “No to America, no to the occupation.” A statement from Sadr’s office has called the negotiations “a project of humiliation for the Iraqi people.”
Smaller protests also were held in the Baghdad neighborhoods of Kazimiyah, Abu Dshir and Kufa.
“We denounce the government’s intentions to sign a long-term agreement with the occupying forces,” Sadrist Sheikh Asaad Al-Nassiri said during a sermon in Kufa. “Our army will be under their control in this agreement and this will lead to them having permanent bases in Iraq.”
US officials have insisted they are not seeking permanent bases in Iraq, although they have declined to comment on specific proposals until the negotiations are complete.
